Diaphragm



M. W. HUBER DIAPHRAGM .Filed Aug. 9, 1945 Invenior MaEPchewWZI-Iuber Aflornegs Dec. 23, 1947.

Patented Dec. 23, 1947 DIAPHRAGM Matthew W. Huber, Watertown, N. Y., assignor to The New York Air. Brake Company, a corporation of New Jersey Y Application August 9, 1945, Serial No. 609,867

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to diaphragms, and particularly to a sustaining means which will adapt a flexible rubber-like diaphragm or other relatively flexible diaphragm for use under high fiuid pressures.

The invention makes use of a series of diaphragm-sustaining nested annuli each with a stop for limiting its movement relatively to the support forthe margin of the diaphragm, or relatively to 'the annulus next outward, as the case may be'..v

The efiects are to reduce to a. practicable minimum unsustained areas of the diaphragm, and to reduce the effective area of the diaphragm as its displacement progresses.

Two embodiments of the invention will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. l is an axial section through a diaphragm and the support under low pressure conditions;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the positions assumed under high pressure;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the rings, with a part broi en away;

Fig. 4 is a view of a modified construction in which the diaphragm is fiat under low pressure conditions. In this view the opportunity has been taken to indicate how a valve may be actuated by the diaphragm.

Since the diaphragm and its sustaining and spring loading means are the significant elements 01' the invention, details of the housing and the controlled mechanism are not elaborated.

In the drawings 5 and 6 are mating parts 01 a housing which encloses, among other things, a pressure chamber I to the right of the diaphragm 8.

The margin of the diaphragm B and a sustaining annulus 9 are clamped between the members 5 and 6. The bore of annulus 9 has a stop shoulder II to limit the leftward movement of a first shiftable ring I2 which is formed with internal and external stop shoulders, as shown. There is also a second shiftable ring I3 formed with internal and external stop shoulders and within this is a third shittable ring I4 which has only an external stop shoulder. As clearly illustrated the internal and external shoulders on rings I2 and I3 are ofiset in an axial direction. Also the shoulders on successive rings are axially offset so that the rings may nest in the relations illustrated.

To avoid confusing the drawings reference numerals are not applied to the shoulders on rings I2, I3 and I4, but Fig. 3 which illustrates ring I2 makes the form of such parts clear.

The third shiftable ring I4 encircles the shank of a rivet I5 whose head is countersunk into the end of ring I4. The rivet I5 is fixed in a spring seat I6 having a flat face ll which (When the diaphragm is not under pressure) is in thrust engagement with the left hand ends of rings 9, I2, and I3. The spring seat has a hub engaging the end of ring I4. The spring seat It is engaged by the diaphragm-loading spring I8 only a part of which is illustrated.

A comparison of Figs. 1 and 2 will indicate that rings I2 and I3 are graduated in length so that the diaphragm shifts between two positions in which it is reversely flexed. These two views illustrate the diaphragm as it appears at the extreme limits of its reverse movements. In Fig. 1, which shows the low pressure limiting position the surface I! engages the rings 9, I2 and I3 and determines their positions. Here the full area of the diaphragm is eilective. As the diaphragm 8 is forced to the left by rising pressure the rings I2, I3, and I 4 will successively be arrested by their shoulders until the high pressure limiting position of Fig. 2 is reached. This action is attended by a reduction of the effective area .of the diaphragm. When ring I2 is arrested it renders ineffective the annular area of the diaphragm in contact with the ring. Arrest of ring I3 has a similar eifect, and so on.

If the low pressure configuration of the diaphragm is to be flat, then the rings can be dif ferently proportioned to meet this requirement.

Such a construction is shown in Fig. 4. Here the diaphragm I08 is clamped at its margin between annulus I09 and housing part I06. Annulus I09 is internally shouldered at III], and there are four shouldered rings III, H2, H3 and H4. The central rivet H5 clamps the center of the diaphragm I08 to ring H4 and to spring seat I I6, which sustains loading spring I I8 and has a fiat surface II! which engages annulus I09 and the left hand ends of rings III to H4, inclusive, in the low pressure position indicated in the drawing.

In Fig. 4 rivet H5 is shown with an axial port I2I controlled by a needle valve I22. The purpose is merely to indicate the general applicability of the invention to diaphragms with and without valves. The diaphragm is subject to pressure in chamber I07.

Two specific arrangements have been illustrated in detail and others within the scope of the claim are obviously possible.

3 What is claimed is: The combination of a flexible diaphragm; a fixed annular support for the periphery of the diaphragm; said support having a, guideway formed with an annular stop; a hub against which the central area of the diaphragm reacts, said hub having an encircling stopnshoulder; a series .of nested:rin gs having internal 'and external stop shoulders, the nest of rings being interposed between said hub and annular support in guiding relation therewith, the various stop shoulders serving to limit motion so that suecessive rings counted inward arepermitted increments of axial motion and .thelhub is permitted gage said annular support, said nested rings and said hub when the diaphragm is in its normal position under low pressure; and yielding loading means arranged to react on said spring seat.

MATTHEW W. HUBER.

REFERENCES CITED The-followingreferences arebfrecord in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS l'Number Name Date v 1,132,424 Arcusd Mar. 16, 1915 "1,819,947 :deLavaud Aug. 18, 1931 maximum motion; a spring seat arranged to en- L15 I 

